Municipal

Technology behind our Septic Tanks

AT series packaged residential waste water treatment plants treat sewage for domestic dwellings.
The treated waste water can be further discharged to surface or ground water (with authority permission) or,
as the case may be, reclaimed, using it for irrigation.

In compliance with requirements of European standard EN 12566-3, our residential water treatment plant was subject to a long-term efficiency tests of purification, comprehensive tests of static resistance, watertightness, durability and the checking of dimensions and accessibility. After completing proof of its conformity, performing the initial tests of the type and introducing in-house control of the manufacturing plant, the manufacturer issued a declaration of conformity that is fully in compliance with the EU legislation. On completion of the process, the manufacturer is authorised to label its AT to 50 pop plants with the CE mark of conformity.

The tank consists of a polypropylene reactor with an inner built-in technological structure. The maximum achievable purification effect is based on the utilisation of low-load activation technology with aerobic sludge stabilisation. The AT plant is covered with a removable, lockable PP cover. The plant uses a tried and tested system of continual biological purification of wastewater with an integrated accumulation of abruptly inflowing water. This technology is protected internationally by patent No. EP1919833. Our purification technology ensures the high quality of treated water as well as low investment and operating costs. The technology is also known under the international name of Vertical Flow Labyrinth – VFL®. We also help you with all septic tank registration.

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FAQ

Should ‘grey water’ from dishwashers, sinks and washing machines be directed to my water treatment unit?

Should water from roofs and yards be connected to my treatment system?

How do I dispose of the rainwater and clean surface runoff from my site?

How do I know if my water treatment tank is not working properly?

Could my septic system pollute my well?

What is included in the term domestic wastewater?

Domestic wastewater includes grey water and sewage from domestic dwellings. Grey water is defined as wastewater that comes from sinks and washing machines, i.e. the wastewater that contains some bleach and detergents. The grey water from your household is treated in the same way as sewage whereby it is collected in a sep tank and undergoes treatment either in a percolation area or in a secondary treatment unit prior to being discharged via a polishing filter to ground. Rainwater is not classified as grey water and therefore should not be discharged into your treatment unit.

What happens to wastewater from my home?

When houses are not served by a public sewerage system, the wastewater from a house should be treated by a the tank and percolation area or advanced wastewater treatment system. With new houses the type of system used is determined by testing ground/soil conditions at planning stage.

How should wastewater system work?

A modern septic system includes a double chamber tank and percolation area. Wastewater is partially digested by bacteria in the tank and the effluent then passes through a percolation area where effluent is further treated.

Should ‘grey water’ from dishwashers, sinks and washing machines be directed to my water treatment unit?

YES – grey water should in all circumstances be directed to the system. Grey water is also a pollutant and if directed to the rain water system may cause contamination of waters. Take care with house extensions or alterations – don’t connect any wastewater pipes to the rain water disposal system.

Should water from roofs and yards be connected to my treatment system?

NO – Roof and yard waters should not be connected to your tank system. Clean water should be collected and discharged separately to a local watercourse or soakaway.

How do I dispose of the rainwater and clean surface runoff from my site?

Uncontaminated water should be disposed of by means of a soak pit/soakaway. The soakaway should be designed in accordance with the guidance provided in BS8301 and in BRE Soakaway Design (1991). It should not be located within 5m of any dwelling and as far away as possible from the percolation area (at least a minimum of 5m separation distances should be used).

How do I know if my water treatment tank is not working properly?

Some signs that your wastewater system may not be working include the following:

Smell of sewage from the general area of the tank and percolation area.

Slow draining toilets, sinks or drains or backing up of sewage at the inlet.

Overflow of wastewater from the tank or ponding of sewage on the percolation area.

Discolouration of nearby watercourses (greyish slime growths).

Could my septic system pollute my well?

Yes it is possible. If you suspect that your water treatment tank is affecting your well you should have it checked. If you are concerned you should contact your local authority’s Environmental Section or local Environmental Health Officer for advice.

If you suspect contamination of your well you need to have a full assessment of your system carried out by a suitably qualified person.

Overview of water treatment solution and sewage plant

Regulations

Tank Installation

Septic Cleaning and Maintenance

Emptying Your Tank

Septic Problems

Overview of water treatment solution and sewage plant

Since 2013, owners of septic systems and other domestic systems in Ireland have had to register their domestic units and management systems with Protect Our Water and local water service authorities. This administration system was introduced following the Water Services (Amendment) Act 2012 that was brought in following a European Court of Justice ruling in 2009 with a prime focus around protecting the waters in and surrounding Ireland, including surface and ground water that could become contaminated by improper wastewater systems that have not been properly maintained. The system that was made compulsory for the 440,000 owners in Ireland in 2013 should ensure that all systems are brought in line with the expectations and minimum standards set out in the 2009 Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) code of practice.

The introduction of these regulations in Ireland have brought the country in line with the rest of Europe and it is crucial to the protection of our water and consequently our health that these regulations are followed. Since the introduction of the new regulations there has been a positive impact on the environment and subsequently we all enjoy the health benefits associated with it. For example, fisheries, wildlife habitats and water activities have all benefitted from the improvements to the legislation.

The fundamental aim of wastewater treat units is to remove suspended solids that decay in water and use oxygen needed by plants and animals that live in such habitats. The treatment of wastewater can remove as much as two thirds of these suspended solids that are discharged back in to the environment as effluent, meaning that the impact on the local wildlife is much more minimal than untreated discharge.

Regulations

The regulations that came in to effect from 2013 state that every homeowner in Ireland that has a wastewater treatment system that is not connected to the main sewage system must be registered for inspection. The inspections are carried out by local authorities that have employed inspectors approved by the EPA to carry out this task.

The aims of the regulations are to protect the water quality in and around Ireland and there are a number of set regulations that each and every household must adhere to. The regulations that came in to effect from June 26th 2012 can be found at irishstatutebook.ie and some of the key points include:

Domestic wastewater is not permitted to emit sewage or leak sewage from the system other than where it is designed to do so safely.

Domestic wastewater is not permitted to be discharged directly on to the surface of the ground.

Roof and surface water is not permitted to enter the the system.

The homeowner is expected to keep the domestic system in a good state of repair and ensure that it is properly maintained to ensure there is no risk to the environment or human health.

De-sludging will be performed at intervals of time that are relevant to the capacity of the tank with evidence being obtained and kept of regular de-sludging for a period of at least 5 years.

De-sludging should be carried out by a recognised contractor who is accredited by the Waste Management (Collection Permit) Regulations 2007.

Registration should be completed every 5 years, even if the system has been registered before, although there is no additional cost for reregistration.

Tank Installation

The installation is crucial and it this is an area not to skimp on cost. That being said, you will want to ensure that you get the most competitive quote that offers quality and value for money. The EPA guidelines suggest that you have your system installed by a registered supplier and installer and this should be top of your list of priorities.

You should look to get a minimum of three quotes for the job and five is recommended to give yourself a good range to base your decision on. The installation quote should include an in depth discussion around the location of the tank and this is somewhere that needs to remain readily accessible to allow for future maintenance and service. This is also important so that you monitor any problems that might arise during normal usage.

As the cost of the installation is often more than the tank itself, it is important that you are happy with the company you choose. There are a number of key decisions that you will need to make yourself but these should be decisions that you make with guidance from a professional installer. Considerations as to the materials of the septic tank will be key, as will the size of the tank as this will affect the size of the area to be prepared. The deeper you need to excavate, the higher the cost.

A key part of the installation process is to test the ground where the tank is going to be located. This crucial part of the installation will prevent further problems post-installation.

Septic Cleaning and Maintenance

The key to having a system that works efficiently is to have it properly maintained. Cleaning and maintenance of your home sewage system might seem like a daunting proposition but it is perfectly simple given the proper attention and planning. The service intervals of your home system will depend on the exact system you have. The size of your tank and type of system are key factors and you should be made aware of this at installation.

Proper maintenance will ensure that the system operates smoothly and problem free. Despite the regulations of the Environmental Protection Agency, it is always a good idea to keep on top of the cleaning and maintenance of your water treat system.

Maintenance starts with being aware of the simple things that all owners can keep on top of. You should ensure you know where your tank is located – this may sound simple but many homeowners are blissfully unaware of this. As stated in the regulations, it is important that there is no surface or roof water running in to the treatment system and this is something that you can easily check yourself. Even if you do not need to have your tank emptied each year it is a good idea to have an annual inspection by a certified professional and you should ensure that de-sludging is carried out every 5 years at the least. When having your tank pumped you should always have it carried out by a licensed contractor.

A few top tips for ensuring the maintenance of your system is trouble free include:

Know where your drainage area is located

Repair leaks from pipes, toilets and dripping taps

Don’t overuse water to prevent overloading of the system

Look out for overflow in shower, bath, washing machine or dishwasher – if this is happening then you need to look in to the cause

Be aware of problem signs such as toilets that flush slowly, foul smells coming from your tank and drains and noisier drains than usual.

Emptying Your Tank

Perhaps the most frightening aspect of owning a domestic system is the need to empty the tank periodically. This is a contentious issue for many owners and a lot of people feel unclear on the guidelines of how often they are expected to empty their tanks. As a guideline, it is suggested emptying at least once per year to avoid build up of blockages and to prevent overflowing. The size and type of your tank will determine the actual set figure that is expected as well as the amount of usage it has. The type of waste that goes in, will also be a key factor in determining the time period between emptying.

The easiest way to be sure is to speak to a professional or ask whoever installed your system in the first place. The process of emptying a tank should always be carried out by a registered professional and there are a number of good options available across Ireland.

Septic Problems

Like anything with owning a home, there are always potential pitfalls and problems associated with domestic wastewater treatment systems. It is important that if you do experience any problems, you address them straight away.

It is impossible to list every potential problem that you might incur, however problems that you might find could include:

Overflow on to the surrounding surface area of the septic tank

Overflow of your toilet, washing machine or sinks

Foul smells emitting from drains or near the location of the system.

If you experience problems directly after installation this can be for a variety of reasons. One reason can be if the ground has not been properly tested then you might be experiencing soakage problems if the soak pit is found to be filled straight away and surface water is found.

About us

Systems design

Planning

Installation

Manufacturing

Distribution

Certification

“BioPro Ireland” is an Irish based company established in 2010 with head offices located in Greenogue Business Park, Rathcoole, County Dublin.

We specialise in the installation and servicing of sewage treatment systems in Ireland and registration. Our sewage treatment systems are suitable for domestic, commercial and municipal use. They replace existing tanks and provide higher treatment for wastewater or tanks effluent.

What our clients say

The BioPro unit is one of the easiest wastewater care plants I have ever fitted. It is lightweight, can be installed and commissioned in half a day, and more importantly it works!

Martin KellsDirector, K.E. Liquid Solutions

When we looked at the quality of effluent that the BioPro unit provides, we didn’t require a percolation area and could get away with a direct discharge here in Northern Ireland. This quality is compatible with the ethos of our own products.